Is Baby Getting Enough?

Getting a good latch

First, get ready to breastfeed by doing the following: wash  your hands, have a drink or snack close by, relax, use pillows to help you sit up or lie down (make sure your back and arms are well supported), rest your feet on a footstool.  To get a good latch: hold baby at level of your nipple, hold breast with thumb and forefinger to form a C around the areola, move baby toward and away from breast to encourage baby to open up mouth wide, baby’s chin and lower jaw touch breast first, tongue down and nipple is pointed upwards, move baby onto the breast. Once latched, baby’s chin is pressed onto the breast. Watch the NWT Breastfeeding Video to get a good visual of how to latch your baby.

How often to feed your baby: offer baby breast whenever your baby shows interest. Your baby will show you how often and how long to nurse. This is around every 2-3 hours and at least 1 or 2 times at night.

How long will a feeding take? Watch your baby, not the clock. Most babies need both breasts during a feeding. Offer the other breast when your baby seems to have stopped swallowing or has lost interest.

Is your baby getting enough?

To get a visual of different kinds of baby poop click here.

Days after Birth 

# of feeds in 24 hours

Minimum # wet diapers

Minimum # wet diapers

Breasts feel

1

4-6

1

1 black

Soft

2

8-12

2

1-2 brown

Soft

3

8-12

3 "Heavy"

1-2 brown

Fullness

4

8-12

4-6 "Heavy"

2 Yellow, seedy stool

Fullness-soft after feeding

5+

8-12

6+ "Heavy" colourless, odourless

3 or more yellow, seedy stool

Your milk is flowing

After 6 weeks

8-12

6+

Varies - ensure baby is gaining weight

Soft unless miss several feedings

Reference: Learning to Breastfeed: Helpful Tips! YHHSA Public Health, June 2008